Imām Aḥmad Bin Ḥanbal (241H) on the Khārijites: The Most Evil of People on Earth

Abu Bakr al-Khallāl (311H) states: Ḥarb bin Ismāʿīl al-Kirmānī informed me that Abū ʿAbd Allāh [Aḥmad bin Ḥanbal] (241H) said: “The Khārijites are an evil people. I do not know of a people more evil than them on the Earth. The Prophetic traditions regarding them are authentic from ten different routes.” (no. 110).

He also relates that it was said to Imām Aḥmad [by someone]: “Shall I declare the Khārijites disbelievers?”. He said: “They are māriqah (deserters, renegades).” It was said: “Are they disbelievers?” He said to them: “They are māriqah (deserters, renegades) they deserted the religion.” (no. 111).

He also relates that Imām Aḥmad was asked about the Ḥarūrites and Māriqites: “Do they disbelieve?” Imām Aḥmad said: “Pardon me with respect to this and just say [exactly as] whatever the ḥadīth regarding them has come with.” (no. 112).